In the clinical setting today, I got to witness a range of patients interactions and treatment. A middle-aged patient with hypertension, who came in for routine checksups, was one of the patients I saw. My shadow physician took the time to get to know my patient and did a complete physical exam, which included checking blood pressure, lung sounds and his heart rate. With the patient, the physician talked about lifestyle modifications such as decreasing salt intake or increasing exercise. He also stressed the importance to take his prescribed medication.
During this encounter, one thing stood out was the doctor’s active listening and empathy. He took time to hear the patient and was able to answer his questions clearly. It was evident that the patient felt valued and heard, which resulted in trust being established and positive therapeutic relationships.